Europe – The Girl Who Goes

Last Updated on April 10, 2026

City Review: Valencia, Spain

Over Easter weekend, I had the chance to visit Valencia, Spain, for the second time! Back in 2019, I went with my friend Morgan during spring break — so, also in April — it was a great time of the year for a visit. Since Matt had never been, we decided to take a quick two-hour train ride up the coast from Alicante to Valencia to spend a few days.

I remember enjoying the city during my first trip, so I was curious to see what it was like on my second visit. Here’s my review of Valencia, Spain, and everything you’ll want to know before planning a trip of your own. [Read more…]

Last Updated on March 8, 2026

How to Claim €600 Under EU 261: My Experience & Your Guide

EU 261 - European Union flag / canceled flight compensation, delayed flight compensation

Everything you need to know about claiming canceled flight compensation through EU 261.

After nearly 500 flights in my lifetime (yes, I’ve got a record of all of them since I use the Flighty app), I recently faced a brand-new experience: a flight cancelation where I was actually eligible for compensation from the airline. On our way back home to Spain from Tokyo, our flight was canceled after we sat on the plane, at the gate, for more than four hours. It was a bad time!

We weren’t able to be re-booked until the next day, so we had to stay overnight in Tokyo, fly to Paris (our connection), and then stay overnight in Paris before flying back to Madrid the day after that. It was quite the ordeal. And while I knew that the hotels and our food would be covered until we made it back, I was wondering about something else: Were we entitled to EU 261 compensation as well?

It was a LOT of work, but the answer was YES! Matt and I each received €600 in additional compensation from Air France, even though they initially rejected my claim. But I fought back. So, if you’re in the same situation, here’s what you need to know. [Read more…]

Last Updated on March 2, 2026

How To Eat Gluten-Free in Lyon, France: Lyon Gluten Free Restaurant Guide

About six months after my celiac disease diagnosis, it was time to tackle yet another country for the first time as a gluten-free traveler: France. I had read that France wouldn’t be quite as accommodating as Spain or Italy, but I felt lucky to be traveling with my friend Rebecca, who was born in Paris and speaks French fluently… so I knew she’d be able to help me out.

We were visiting Lyon for its famous Festival of Lights, which takes place every December — and despite Lyon being the third-largest city in France, it still felt like a small town in some ways. Including when it came to finding gluten-free options.

So, here’s what you need to know about being gluten-free in Lyon, France. [Read more…]

Last Updated on February 16, 2026

City Review: Lyon, France

This past December, I returned to the magical city of Lyon, France, for the second time — and to attend Lyon’s famous Festival of Lights for the second time!

While both trips have been fairly short visits, only about three or four days each, I feel like I’ve finally had enough time to get to know the city a bit better. And you may be wondering: Is Lyon worth a visit even if you’re not there for the Fête des Lumières?

Want to know my verdict? Keep reading for everything you need to know about visiting Lyon, France. [Read more…]

Last Updated on February 3, 2026

How To Eat Gluten-Free in Naples, Italy: Naples Gluten Free Restaurant Guide

A couple of weeks after returning home from Asia, it was time for our next adventure: meeting up with my parents and my sister for a week in Naples, Italy! Not only was I excited to be visiting a new city in Italy and to see my family, but I was also interested to find out what it was like to eat gluten-free in Naples. I’d heard Italy was one of the best countries for celiacs, and it was my first visit since being diagnosed last summer! So, was it true? Is Italy really a gluten-free paradise?

Here’s what you need to know about being gluten-free in Naples, Italy. [Read more…]

Last Updated on January 12, 2026

City Review: Naples, Italy

Less than two weeks after arriving home in Spain from our honeymoon in Asia, it was time to set off on our next trip — to Naples, Italy, where we would be meeting up with my family! (And by the way, I’m not done with all the Asia posts… there are more to come! Just switching it up a bit.)

My mom had asked whether we’d be ready to travel again so soon after Asia, but I reminded her it would only be about a 2-hour flight from Alicante, so we could manage. 😉

There were only a couple of things I knew about Naples before our visit: one, that it was the birthplace of Neapolitan-style pizza; and two, that the city had a reputation for being “dirty” or even “dangerous.” I wasn’t sure I believed that, so I was excited to be getting the chance to decide for myself.

Want to know my verdict? Keep reading for my full review of Naples, Italy. [Read more…]

Last Updated on August 20, 2025

How To Eat Gluten-Free in Alicante, Spain: Alicante Gluten Free Restaurant Guide

Since I got diagnosed with celiac disease two months ago, I’ve so far only experienced what it’s like to be celiac in Alicante, Spain.

Matt and I were reflecting on this the other day — when we go back to the U.S. for Christmas, it’s going to be like starting over again. Reading new labels on familiar foods at the grocery store, looking for the gluten-free symbol on menus at favorite restaurants. But for now, I’ve gotten pretty comfortable eating gluten free in Alicante!

I’ve found several guides for gluten-free eating in different cities in Spain, but I didn’t see one for Alicante. So I thought I’d write it myself — with plenty of updates to come! [Read more…]

Last Updated on July 29, 2025

Tabarca Island Ferry from Alicante: What You Need To Know

At our apartment in Alicante, we’re lucky enough to have a balcony that looks out over the Mediterranean Sea. 😍 (Being from Missouri I still can’t believe I just wrote that sentence.) And while we love overlooking all the port activity, sailing lessons, and cruise ships, there’s something else pretty interesting that we’re able to see out in the distance on a clear day — the Spanish island of Tabarca.

This summer, we’ve set out for Tabarca twice. First, we rented a boat with a private company since Matt has his Spanish boater’s license. But we learned there are some unique pitfalls to doing it that way — like the fact that you can’t pull into port on the island if you’re just visiting. So for our second visit, we decided to take the ferry along with most people who visit Tabarca.

Here’s what you need to know to plan your own Tabarca Island ferry trip from Alicante! [Read more…]

Last Updated on July 8, 2025

Black Cab Tour Belfast: What To Expect & Why It’s a Must-Do

Last month, we spent a week in Ireland with our friends Sarah and Kelan! We started in County Donegal in the northwest of the island before heading east into Northern Ireland — a few hours in Derry/Londonderry and then a few days in Belfast. While I’d passed through Belfast for an afternoon in the past, on my way to the Giant’s Causeway for the first time, I hadn’t done much other than visit the Titanic Museum.

On this visit, we had a lot more time to explore Belfast! And one of the things I knew I didn’t want to miss out on was a Belfast Black Cab Tour. These tours help visitors learn about Belfast’s history and the history of Northern Ireland as a whole. Having read Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe last summer, I was super interested to see all the places in Belfast where history was happening in the book.

So, here’s what you need to know about Belfast and why you can’t miss out on a Belfast Black Cab Tour. [Read more…]

Last Updated on June 28, 2025

What You Need To Know Before You Visit Derry, Northern Ireland

I’m not a big TV or movie person — but my friends are constantly recommending things for me to watch. Most of the time, they know I’m never going to do it. (But if I do watch something of my own accord and suggest it to them, I expect them to drop whatever they’re doing and start watching immediately.)

But a few summers ago, when Matt and I were visiting my two besties from college for a long weekend, one of them suggested: Let’s watch Derry Girls. Both of them had recommended it to me in the past and I had resisted watching, per usual. But this time I had no choice. And within two minutes of starting the show, the clever opening scene with the background of “Dreams” by The Cranberries (who else?) had me hooked. We watched the next episode, and the next… and soon we had finished the entirety of both seasons that had been released to that point. It would be more than a year before the third and final season was released, which Matt and I dutifully binged at home as soon as it came out.

Fast forward to our most recent trip to Ireland a few weeks ago. After meeting up with our Irish friends Sarah and Kelan in County Donegal (thanks to the Bus Eireann Expressway), we spent one night in Bundoran and two nights in Falcarragh. After exploring County Donegal for a few days, our plan was to continue on to Belfast — but considering the driving route literally passed through Derry, there was no way we were going to miss the chance to visit.

Whether you’ve watched Derry Girls or not, I still think it’s worth it to visit Derry on your trip to Northern Ireland. So, here’s what you need to know before your visit to Derry. (Though I might still try to convince you to watch the show before your trip!) [Read more…]